Another Pro Quality Compact Camera: Fuji X-Pro2 Launched

This week at a launch event in Japan, Fuji celebrated the X-Series’ 5th anniversary and also announced their new X-Pro2 mirrorless camera. Followers of Zack Arias (including me) watched the event on Instagram and he shared his photo taken with the new camera. His comments (and excitement) from Instagram

I was first introduced to mirrorless by David Schloss a few media cycles ago, when he proudly shot with a X100 and praised its retro-rangefinder design. That camera offered superior image quality in a compact design, much as the Sonys do now. It was the first camera to really recognize that there was an advantage to exploring a professional-quality non-SLR solution.

His field test for Image Resource addresses the pros and cons; including limitations (since addressed) three years later by the new X-Pros. The most significant improvement is the X-Trans CMOS III sensor with 24-megapixels that puts Fuji on a similar footing with the Nikon, Canon and Sony. As I shared last month, it’s all about the sensor….and when paired with a high-quality Fujinon lens, expect beautiful photos from this camera, like Zack posted.

Fuji’s approach to reduce moiré and false colors is interesting with a random color filter. Despite mixed results with their hybrid viewfinder – optical and electronic – Fuji continues to improve it sticking with their tech, instead of switching to an OLED like Sony. Sony’s half-inch XGA OLED viewfinder on the Alpha series cameras gave us no pause, as the resolution is just as good as an optical one. Where Fuji has stepped up the mirrorless game is with robust weather resistance

Four pieces of magnesium alloy and is sealed in a total of 61 points on each section, making it dust-proof, splash-proof and capable of operating in temperatures as low as -10°C.

I haven’t worried about my Sonys too much, but also would NOT stand outside in the rain with them. The X-Pro 2 might not handle a rainy Seattle winter, but it stands up to the elements better than any of the current Sony cameras. We’ll have a demo camera in soon.

Fuji also increased focus points from 49 to 77 and expect the X-Pro2 to be welcomed by Fuji fans, as well as us. In the mirrorless market, the more competition, the better. In support of the launch, Fuji also launched several mini sites, including one featuring a mountain bike to demonstrate their new focusing system.

The X-Pro2 body goes on sale for $1,699.95 next month at $400 more than the X-T1 from 2 years ago. It’s a premium pro compact camera targeting professional shooters, like the market Sony defined and we write about on Sony Mirrorless Pro. Worth noting, how Fuji is emphasizing rugged toughness, with outside imagery and this battered-hero image. Also, when I was at the D5 launch, the media I spoke with all wondered where Nikon’s mirrorless tech was – it wasn’t, but here’s Fuji matching and arguably exceeding Alpha series cameras with sought-after features like ruggedness.

Fuji is targeting pros with their new camera.

As long-time Bike Hugger followers know, we’re super into mirrorless because of their compact size, professional quality images, and lightweight – I’ve been shooting with Sony Alpha series cameras since they came out. FujiFilm has stepped the mirrorless game up and we’ll have our demo in soon with posts and images to follow.